Description:

We are currently looking for a Water Quality Permitting Scientist with a specialization in stormwater to join our team in the Water Protection Bureau of the Water Quality Division.

Water Quality Permitting Scientists are responsible for performing scientific and technical analyses, calculations, assessments, and determinations essential to the implementation of water quality programs in the State of Montana. This Stormwater Specialist Water Quality Permitting Scientist will be responsible for administering the three General Permits that regulate stormwater in addition to individual permit writing duties.

When a municipality, industry, or other entity wishes to discharge water to a surface water of the state, that entity must first obtain a permit from DEQ. Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) permits regulate wastewater discharges by limiting the quantities of pollutants to be discharged. The limits and/or requirements in the permit help ensure compliance with Montana's Water Quality Standards, and State and Federal Regulations, all of which were written to protect public health and the aquatic environment.

There are two types of MPDES permits: Individual and General. DEQ develops the limits and requirements for an Individual Permit based on a facility's operations, type and amount of discharge, and the nature of the receiving stream, among other factors.

General Permits cover facilities with similar operations and types of discharge, and whose discharges have minimal environmental impact. For example, storm water runoff results from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, and parking lots. Storm water runoff carries a variety of pollutants including sediment, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, trash, and animal waste that can negatively impact water quality. DEQ regulates discharges of storm water from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), construction activities, and industrial operations through three Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (MPDES) General Permits.

At the Department of Environmental Quality, our ultimate goal is to champion a healthy environment for a thriving Montana. DEQ employees are the heart of our organization. We value the people and invest in their professional growth, promoting a culture of cross-agency collaboration as we find solutions to the environmental challenges we face. DEQ values - leadership, accountability, customer service, efficiency, excellence, and decision making - are fundamental to our work. Come be a part of the Department of Environmental Quality!

The Permit Writers position includes a career ladder for professional development and pay progression. This position may be eligible for occasional telework.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include:

• Bachelor's degree in physical, earth, or life science.
• Two years of directly related experience.

The successful candidate will bring the following combination of skills and experience:

Experience:

• analyzing and interpreting environmental data
• reviewing and implementing state and federal statutes, rules, and policies
• reviewing specifications and processes at public works and industrial facilities
• writing technical documents for a general audience
• acting as an effective liaison between diverse stakeholder
• storm water management and/or regulation
• writing and/or reviewing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP

Skills:

• Clear written and verbal communication
• Managing multiple technical projects
• Excellent record keeping
• Systems thinking and evidence-based decision making

Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

In your cover letter, describe how your education, knowledge, and skills have prepared you for this position.

Applications, including supplemental materials such as cover letter or resume, must be submitted through the State of Montana Careers site (https://statecareers.mt.gov/) by the closing date of the announcement.